Do You Boldly Stand Up for What Is Right?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Jeremiah in a lesson titled “I Will turn Their Mourning into Joy” (Jeremiah 31-33; 36-39; Lamentations 1; 3). The following material introduced the lesson. 

When the Lord first called Jeremiah to be a prophet, He told him that his mission would be “to root out, and to pull down” (Jeremiah 1:10) – and in Jerusalem, there was plenty of wickedness to root out and pull down. But this was only part of Jeremiah’s mission – he was also called “to build, and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). What could be built or planted in the desolate ruins left by the rebellion of the covenant people? Asked another way, when sin or adversity has left our lives in ruins, how can we rebuild and plant again? The answer lies in “the Branch of righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:15), the promised Messiah. He brings “a new covenant” (Jeremiah 31:31) – one that requires more than the outward appearance of devotion. His law must be “in [our] inward parts,” written “in [our] hearts.” That’s what it means for the Lord to “be [our] God” and for us to “be [His} people” (Jeremiah 31:33). It’s a lifelong process, and we will still make mistakes and have cause to mourn from time to time. But when we do, the Lord promises, “I will turn their mourning into joy” (Jeremiah 31:13).

The scripture block teaches the following principles: (1) The Lord will bring His covenant people out of captivity (Jeremiah 31; 33), (2) “They shall be my people, and I will be their God” (Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:37-42), (3) The scriptures have power to turn me away from evil (Jeremiah 36), (4) Be firm in following God’s prophets (Jeremiah 37-39), (5) I can be bold in standing up for what is right (Jeremiah 38:6-13; 39:15-18), and (6) The Lord can relieve the sorrow I experience because of sin (Lamentations 1; 3). This essay will discuss principle #5 about doing what is right.

The king’s officials felt that Jeremiah’s prophecies were making their soldiers less willing to fight, so they threw Jeremiah into a filthy dungeon (see Jeremiah 38:1-4). The rulers cast Jeremiah into a muddy dungeon. Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian, freed him and put him in the court of the prison. Jeremiah counseled Zedekiah concerning the war. Jerusalem was captured, and the people were taken captive. Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech were preserved.

Most of us face difficulties from time to time. Sometimes, we are in situations where we have to stand alone with severe consequences. In such circumstances, we can remember the example of Ebed-Melech.

The Babylonians captured Jerusalem. The king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and slew all the nobles of Judah. Then he blinded Zedkiah, bound him with chains, and carried him to Babylon.

The Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the house of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

King Nebuchadrezzar instructed the captain of the guard to take Jeremiah, treat him well, and do him no harm. The captain of the guard took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison and told Gedaliah to carry Jeremiah home to dwell among the people. Jeremiah went through difficult times, but he eventually went home. He carried the words of the Lord to Ebed-Melech as follows. (See Jeremiah 39:15-18.)

15 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

16 Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.

17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord: and thou shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.

18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord.